As public scrutiny of the media intensifies, a Catholic priest leading the Manila archdiocese’s communications ministry has called on journalists to recommit to ethical standards and resist corruption.
Fr. Roy Bellen, director of the archdiocese’s media office, urged media professionals to remain steadfast in their pursuit of truth amid growing challenges to press freedom and journalistic integrity.
“The media’s role is to uphold truth, promote justice, and serve the common good. When it fails to do so, it undermines its responsibility and harms society,” Bellen said.
He emphasized the media’s role in upholding truth, promoting justice and serving the common good, warning that failure to do so undermines public trust and harms society.
Quoting St. Francis of Assisi, Bellen encouraged journalists to embrace what he described as a “Eucharistic vocation and renewal,” viewing their work not only as a profession but as a calling rooted in love, charity and communion.
He also called on the faithful to pray for those in the media and for the “conversion of those blinded by greed.”
“Let us pray for those who, driven by selfish gain, may be blinded to their mission as bearers of truth,” Bellen said.
